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Shadow—A Parable

By Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849) was an American master of Gothic fiction and poetry, known for exploring death, fear, and the uncanny. 'Shadow—A Parable' was first published in 1835 as part of Poe's short fiction. This text reflects its era; a few period terms have been modernised. The story is framed as an ancient Greek's account, but it is pure Poe: a meditation on how we face mortality. The parable asks whether we can ever truly escape death, or whether our attempts to deny it only summon it closer. It is worth reading because Poe distills existential dread into a single, unforgettable image—the shadow that speaks in the voices of everyone we have lost."

Band

Blue · Independent readers, confidentTypical starting range: ages 12–14

Length

long · about 959 words in 5 sections · 2 pictures

Source

The Complete Poetical Works of Edgar Allan Poe, Edgar Allan Poe

First published

see the About page in the reader

Regions

Canada · United States

Included formats

• · Web reader and PDF
• · EPUB for e-readers
• · Home-print sheet
• · Folded booklet
• · Binder edition (8.5 × 11)
• · Worksheet
• · Quick Check (10 questions) with answer key
• · Read-aloud script
• · Teacher’s Edition (members)

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